Three Bangladeshi films selected for Rotterdam festival screenings

The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is set to showcase three Bangladeshi films in its upcoming edition, with the titles featured across different competitive sections. The selection marks an important moment for Bangladesh’s presence on the international festival circuit.

Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s Roid will receive its world premiere in the festival’s prestigious Tiger Competition, the main competition of the 55th edition of IFFR. This is the first time a Bangladeshi feature film has been chosen to compete in the festival’s top section. Alongside it, Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s political thriller Master will premiere in the Big Screen Competition, while Mohammad Tauqir Islam’s debut feature Delupi has been selected for the Bright Future section, which highlights first and second films by emerging filmmakers.

The news has been widely welcomed. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs acknowledged the achievement in a Facebook post, congratulating the teams behind Roid, Master, and Delupi for their premieres at IFFR in the Tiger, Big Screen, and Bright Future sections respectively.

Cultural Affairs Minister Mostofa Sarowar Farooki also shared his reaction, describing the moment as one of pride and happiness. In his post, he congratulated the filmmakers and encouraged them to prepare for Rotterdam’s winter, noting that IFFR is among Europe’s most lively festivals, especially known for its engaging post-screening discussions. He added that the festival holds personal significance for him, as it was his first European film festival and remains associated with fond memories.

Sumon previously made his mark with his debut feature Hawa, which enjoyed major success. Three years later, he returns with Roid, a project he began shooting last year. The film stars Mostafizur Noor Imran, Nazifa Tushi, Gazi Rakayet, among others. The trailer of Roid was released yesterday during an event that also formally announced the film.

A total of 12 films from different countries, including Roid, have been selected for the Tiger Competition. From this lineup, the festival jury will determine the best film.

Speaking about Roid, Sumon explained that the narrative centers on Sadhu, his mentally unstable wife, and the palm tree beside their home. He described the film as a search for the primal story of Adam and Eve, reconstructed in a contemporary emotional context rather than a specific time period. He also noted that the spirit of rural Bengal, inspired by the vision of painter SM Sultan, runs through every layer of the film.

Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s Master, meanwhile, is a political thriller made with government grant funding. Filming was completed in April last year, followed by post-production work in South Korea with artists from various countries. The story is set within the political landscape of a single upazila.

The film follows Zahid Ahmed, a schoolteacher respected for his social contributions, who is urged by locals to run in an upazila election due to the absence of a suitable candidate. After winning the election and assuming the role of chairman, his life undergoes a profound transformation. Nasir Uddin Khan portrays Zahid Ahmed, with Azmeri Haque Badhon, Zakia Bari Mamo, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Lutfur Rahman George, Sharif Siraj, and others appearing in key roles.

Delupi, selected for the Bright Future section, draws inspiration from real events, everyday realities, and human relationships in southern Bangladesh. The film features performances by local residents rather than professional actors. It was first released in Khulna on November 7, followed by a nationwide release the following week.